City Centre Transport Plan 2023

Measure 3 - Dublin City Council Traffic Department would like to announce the introduction of the next  measure contained in the Dublin City Transport Plan 2023 which will come into effect on the 4th July 2025.

The street is currently dominated by pedestrians, with up to 23,000 people passing through the street a day. The proposed measure plans to permanently reallocate the space to walking and cycling whilst also providing greening and public seating. This space will provide an attractive north-south pedestrian and cycle route between City Hall and Bolton Street by linking with Capel Street as well as being a link between the east and west areas of Temple Bar. 

In a recent consultation (May 2025) 90% of respondents were in favour of enhancing public space, enabling two-way cycling and enhancing. Feedback from engagement with businesses and residents, the public consultation and a presentation to the South East Area committee has been positive with the majority describing a desire for fewer cars and more space for people. 

Many referenced the success of Capel Street as a positive example, noting increased vibrancy, improved atmosphere, and greater footfall for local businesses. Respondents repeatedly mentioned that the proposed measures would make Parliament Street safer and more pleasant for walking and cycling, encourage families and children to visit, and create opportunities for outdoor seating, socialising, and community events. 

The works for the interim improvements (seating, planting and surfacing) will commence on the 7th July and will take place during the summer. 

This is the third measure contained in the Dublin City Transport Plan 2023. 

The traffic movements in the area will be as follows:

·Between Essex Quay and Essex Gate - this section of Parliament Street will be permanently Traffic Free with only pedestrians and cyclists permitted in this space. The road level in this section will also be raised to the existing kerb level.

·The current west to east traffic flow between Essex Gate and Essex Street East will remain open for all vehicles at all times.

·The section of Parliament Street between Essex Gate and Lord Edward Street will be Traffic Free with deliveries allowed between 6am and 11am daily.

·Two-way cycling will be permitted on Parliament Street

·A new two-way cycling link will be created on the east side of Grattan Bridge. The traffic lanes will be reduced to one right turn lane only on the bridge.

·A two-way cycling link will be created on the east side of Capel St between the quays and Strand Street little. Northbound cycling will also be permitted on Capel Street to complete a full 2 way cycling link between Dame Street and Bolton Street.

Measure 2 Westland Row

Dublin City Council Traffic Department would like to announce the introduction of the next  measure contained in the Dublin City Transport Plan 2023 which will come into effect on 25th May 2025.

On 25th May, a traffic change will be implemented at the junction of Westland Row and Pearse Street. Only public transport, taxis and cyclists will be allowed to turn left from Westland Row onto Pearse Street. A new right turn for general traffic (cars and delivery vans) will be introduced at this junction and the section of Pearse Street from Westland Row to Sandwith Street will be made two-way. Existing traffic measures and access from Lombard Street East and Sandwith Street Upper are maintained.

Access will be maintained to Westland Row for traffic due to the height of other railway bridges in the area. This will allow the use of Westland Row by high sided vehicles while ensuring that public transport will be prioritised. Westland Row will no longer be a through route to Pearse Street There are no changes to disabled bays, loading bays or taxi ranks. 

The anticipated reduction in general traffic resulting from this measure along Pearse Street from Westland Row and onto Tara Street will allow for opportunities on these streets to be reimagined with better walking and cycling facilities alongside the high priority afforded to public transport in the future.

The hours of operation for these new restrictions will be 24 hours Monday to Sunday.

Measure 1 - North and South Quays

On 25th August, traffic management measures are being implemented on the north quays at Bachelors Walk and on the South Quays on Burgh Quay and Aston Quay. These changes consist of road marking and signage changes. All other routes on the quays and all other routes in the city remain the same and North-South, South-North access to all Liffey Bridges will remain the same.

The hours of operation for these new restrictions will be 7am to 7pm Monday to Sunday. Outside these hours the restrictions will not be in operation and all vehicles can travel as before.

For more details on the new measures please click here

The EIA and AA screenings are available here

Maps of the measures are shown below.

There are no changes to disabled bays, loading bays or taxi ranks. The vast majority of routes to hospitals will remain the same, as will the majority of routes to city centre car parks. Access for residents will be maintained although there may be a different route to or from the area.

A working group, chaired by the Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan, will now be put together to monitor the impact of changes included in the transport plan. This group will include business organisations, the NTA, elected members and other interested parties such as members of the disability community.

These traffic management measures are being implemented to meet the policies and objectives of the Dublin City Development Plan 2022 – 2028. They look to address the fact that 60% of general traffic in the city centre is not stopping, working or shopping but is simply travelling through the city.

Should you have any queries please contact us at [email protected].

Final City Centre Transport Plan

Dublin City Council, in partnership with the National Transport Authority, have published the final version of the Dublin City Transport Plan. The publication of this plan is an objective of the Dublin City Development Plan 2022 -2028 which was adopted by the elected members in November 2022, and of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, as approved by the Minister for Transport in December 2022.

Draft City Centre Transport Plan

Dublin City Council, in partnership with the National Transport Authority, have published the draft Dublin City Centre Transport Plan 2023. The publication of this plan is an objective of the Dublin City Development Plan 2022 -2028 which was adopted by the elected members in November 2022, and of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, as approved by the Minister for Transport in December 2022.

The Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 sets out an aspiring vision for the city, and in the area of transport sets out very challenging and ambitious targets to be achieved, including a 40% reduction in general traffic and significant increases in walking, cycling and public transport. The City Centre Transport Plan sets out a path for achieving these targets. 

Members of the public and interested parties were invited to share their views on the draft plan through a non-statutory public consultation on the Draft City Centre Transport Plan which took place from 13th September until 1st December. In total, 3,592 submissions were received during this consultation. The results show overwhelming support for the vision set out in the City Centre Transport plan.

The overall transport vision in this plan is for a low traffic city centre with public transport, walking and cycling being prioritised. It draws lessons from the response to the Covid pandemic whereby low traffic volumes allowed very ambitious changes to be undertaken in areas such as Capel Street, Nassau Street and along the North and South Quays.

The traffic management changes envisaged as part of this plan aim to significantly reduce volumes of car traffic in the city centre, opening up space for the sustainable modes, and significantly improving the public realm by allowing greening and the development of new public spaces for residents, workers and visitors to the city centre.